Our world

Allison is our world right now. It's amazing how everything you do & every decision we make is wrapped around our little bundle of joy. Choices of when to run to the store, when to have guests over, when to sleep, when to work, when to travel, & when to have some "Sara & Robby" time. Every decision we make is surrounded by questions of "what is best for Allison." She is everything we hoped for in a child & more. I can't begin to express how blessed we feel as a family!

Sara & I were turned onto a schedule for infants that has worked wonderful for us! We feed every 2 hours on the dot. We try to push it to two if she's hungry before & we don't wait anymore then two even if she's sleeping. The plan also says to not let them sleep during a feeding so cold wash clothes & tickling are our friends. We enforce 10 minutes on each side for a minimum of 20 minutes. Sometimes she will feed for 30 sometimes it's a struggle to get 20. When you are ready for bed, you feed her for the last time & put her to bed. When we do this we let her sleep until she wakes up.

With this method, Ally is sleeping a solid 4-5 hours straight at a time. We wake up about 3 or 4 AM to feed her & then she is asleep again until 8 AM. We are sleeping great & she is sleeping great. For anyone who knows babies, we are happy parents with that schedule! The plan has been perfect for our family & been a blessing since we started her on it from day one of her life. Every baby is different, but they also are creatures of habit. Whatever cycle you let them slip into is what you will live with for a good 2 years. We are very dilberate & cautious with what we allow her to do. We also are very contientous of how we let her act. Sara & I believe parenting is about boundries & limits (yes even for infants). Ally is no saint. She cries when she needs something & let's us know when she's not happy. Overall thought...she has been fantastic. The one common theme we hear from everyone is, "She never cries" or "What a good baby. You two are blessed!" Sara & I know we are new parents & are going to make PLENTY of mistakes. However, we want to not be satisfied with the status quo. We don't want to have the typical baby. We want Allison Faith to be her own person. To strive for uniquness & individuality, yet know her boundries & always behave herself. Parenting is a huge responsibility & we hold the privelage with the utmost care. Parenting isn't a right, it is a privelage. If you don't believe me, ask someone who can't have children.

We don't want to figure things out with Allison & then perfect it with our second child. We want to make this effort the best we can give. So far we have been astounded at how well things have gone & feel blessed to have been given such an even tempered daughter that is so willing to learn what we want. We love her to death & I now know what our parents meant when they said they would do anything for us. I would do anything for her & I find myself staring at her & marvelling at the miracle God created just for us. I am a humbled & very thankful father.